Display device



J. W. LITTMAN DISPLAY DEVICE Jan. 3, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 8, 1950 INVENOR. 10.5 711 W Liilman J. W. LITTMAN DISPLAY DEVICE 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Sept. 8, 1950 United States Patent DISPLAY DEVICE .loseph-W. Littrnan, New York, N. Y. Application September 8, 1950, Serial No. 183,778

16 Claims. (Ci. iii-36) This invention relates to a device for successively ex posing to view a plurality of flexible display members bearing advertising matter thereon.

it is an object of the invention toprovide a display device which has a minimum. number of moving parts but is nevertheless positive in operation.

it is another object of. the invention to provide a unitary display device adapted to be supported in various ways.

it is afurther object of the invention to turn the display members by the travel of said display members from their place of storage to their place of display whereby the position of the display members is the same in either place.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter.

The embodiment the invention comprises a pair of tracks spaced from each other in opposed: relation and a '1 track arranged'with an arcuateportion and azstraight. portion declining from one end of the arcuate. portion to opposite end of said arcuate portion, a plurality of flexible display members having at the upper sectionscruved portions of relatively stiff material arranged with projections at the opposite sidcsengaged inthe tracks and normally supported by the straight portions of'the tracks and each projection having an. annular enlargement to space the projections of adjacent display members fromeach other on the straight portions of the tracks, and a rotating member associated. with each track having opposed means to successively engage the projections ofthe display member at the'lower'ends of the straight track portions and by the rotation of said members-move. the projections along the arcuate track portions to the upper ends of the strai h't track portions, so that while one display member is roacbing the upper ends of the straight track portions, display member at the lower ends of the straight track. portions is commencing'its-travel along the arcuate track portions. The curved portions of relatively stiff material of the display members engagedan arcuate plate extending between the tracks and are actuated by said arcuate plate to turnthe display members about the axis of the projections and have'the advertising matters on the display memberson the straight track portions facing in the same direction.

in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the-display device-with an enclosing casing in section to show theworking parts of the device.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device with the enclosing casing in section and the lower portion of a supporting structure broken-away;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the upper section of a flexible display member partly broken-away to show the curved portion of relatively stiff material.

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the display device.

"ice

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5*S of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows to show the outer face of a track'and the rotating member associated therewith.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2 looking. in the direction of the arrows to show the co-action between the re tating member and the projections of the display members.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7- of Figure 6 looking in the direction of the arrows with the rotating member extending in the vertical axis of the device and the enclosing casing removed.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 and showing the rotating member moving the rearmost display member along the arcuate portion of a track and the proceeding display member approaching a position. where it is disengaged from the rotating member by the force of gravity.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing a modified structure of the device.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the modification shown in Figure 9 with part of the enclosing casing and supporting structure included in said View.

Figure 11 is a sectional View of the rotatingmember taken on the line 11-41 of Figure 9 looking in the direction of the arrows.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a frame comprising two U-shaped members 12 and 13 havinga" circular section 14; arranged on the outer leg portion of each member. The inner leg portion. of each. of the members 12 and 13' is arranged with a sloping edge 15 and is adapted to support a circular plate 16 in spaced alignment with the circular section 14 of the outer leg portion of each of the members 12 and 13. The members 12 and 13 are connected to each other with the circular plates 16 in spaced and opposed relation by tie-rods 17 secured at the ends in said plates 16. The opposed'faces of the plates 16 are arranged to form tracks in the form of a continuous groove in each face having an arcuate portion 18 and a straight portion 19 having th'e'lower or outer edge extending parallelly of the sloping edge 15 of the inner leg portion of each of the members 12 and 13. The plates 16 are mounted on and spaced from the inner leg portions of the members 12 and 13 by spacers 20 secured to said plates and leg portions, as shown in Figure 7.

The frame is adapted to be supported in elevated position and as shown is supported by posts 21 mounted at the lower ends on a base 22 and the upper ends releasably secured in bosses 23 on the connecting portion of each of the members 12 and 13 by set-screws 24.

The frame may also be suspended from an overhead support by flexible members, not shown, connected't'o-the' overhead support and eyes 25 secured in the circular sections 14. When the frame is suspended from an overhead support, the posts 21 and base 22 are removed.

Each display member comprises a flexible portion 26 arranged with the advertising matter on both faces and having the upper portion attached to a strip 27 of relatively stifif material, such as metal, curved transversely of its length and arranged adjacent to its upper edge with projections 28 extending laterally from the opposite sides and adapted to rotatably carry rollers 29 havingan annular enlargement St) at an intermediate portion, as shown in Figure 3.

The outer end portions of the rollers 29 are normally engaged in the straight groove portions 19 with the enlargernents 30 of adjacent display members abutting each other and spacing the bodies of the rollers from each other, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. The rollers are releasably retained on the straight groove portions 19" by steps 31 secured to the inner leg portions of the members 12 and 13 and having arcuate cut-out portions 32 to engage the inner end portions of the rollers 29 of the lowermost display member, as shown in Figure 8. The display members will be suspended between the inner leg portions of the members 12, 13 with the advertising matter on the display members at the upper and lower ends of the straight groove portions 19 exposed to view, as shown in Figure 4.

The display member at the upper ends of the straight groove portions 19 is replaced by the display member engaged by the stops 31. This is accomplished by a rotating member associated with each track plate 16 and comprising a flat piece 33 having the opposite end portions bent laterally, as at 34, and the laterally bent portions arranged with opposed recesses formed by cars 35 and 36 spaced from each other and extending in parallel spaced relation to the piece 33. The ear 35 is longer than the ear 36 and the ears are arranged in reversed order at the opposite ends of the piece 33, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The pieces 33 extend diametrically of the outer faces of the plates 16 with the ears 35 and 36 juxtaposed to the faces arranged with the groove portions 18, 19. This is accomplished by arranging each piece 33 with a center hub or boss 37 and securing said boss on an end portion of a shaft 38 rotatably supported in bearings 39 on the inner faces of the plates 16 and a bearing 40 in one of the sections 14. The bearing 40 supports one end of the shaft 38 and the opposite end of the shaft is operatively connected by a coupling 41 to a drive shaft of an electric motor and reduction gear mechanism shown in a general way at 42 in Figures 1 and 2 mounted on the other section 14. While the device is in operation, the shaft 38 is continuously rotated in a clockwise direction, looking at Figures 6 and 8, with the cars 36 in advance of the ears 35. By the rotation of the shaft 38, the ears 36 at one end of the pieces 33 will pass under the outer end portions of the rollers 29 abutting the stops 31 and the associated ears 35 will engage said end portions of the rollers and lift the rollers out of arcuate cut-out portions 32 and move the rollers along the arcuate groove portions 18. The short ears 36 will retain the rollers 29 in engagement with the longer ears 35 until said ears 36 pass the upper ends of the straight groove portions 19 when the rollers 29 will disengage from the ears 35 and move into the straight groove portions 19 at the front of the display members supported in said straight groove portions to display the advertising matter thereon. Prior to the release of the rollers 29 in the arcuate groove portions 18 from the ears 35, the cars 35 at the opposite ends of the pieces 33 will engage the outer end portions of the rollers 29 having the inner end portions engaged in the cut-out portions 32 of the stops 31 and move said rollers and associated display member along the arcuate groove portions 18. The movement of the rollers 29 from the stops 31 into the arcuate groove portions permits the succeeding rollers 29 to move rearward in the straight groove portions 19 and the leading rollers to engage the cut-out portions 32.

The movement of flexible portion 26 of the display member being moved along the arcuate groove portions 18 is controlled partially by an arcuate portion 43 of an enclosing cover having portions 44 at the opposite ends of-the portion 43 enclosing the space between the circular sections 14 and plates 16 with marginal sections of said portions 44 extending over the path of travel of the ears 35, 36, as shown at 45 in Figure 1. The cover portion 43 only extends over the rear half of the space between plates 16 and the lower edge of said portion is bent outwardly, as at 46 in Figures 1, 5, 6 and 8, to facilitate the flexible portion 26 to follow its associated rollers 29 below the cover portion 43. The cover is releasably retained in enclosing position by engaging the side edges of the straight wall sections 47 into recesses formed by structure shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive.

clips 48 secured to the opposite sides of the outer leg portion of the member 12 and the inner leg portion of the member 13, as shown in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8.

After the flexible portion 26 passes below the cover portion 43, said flexible portion is flipped over to have the faces of the portions 26 extend in the same direction when the rollers 29 are in the straight groove portions 19. This is accomplished by the curved section of the strip 27 engaging an arcuate plate 49 secured at the opposite ends to the plates 16 below the groove portions 18, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive. The rear portion of the plate 49 extends in a vertical plane below the front section of the cover portion 43, as shown at 50 in Figures 6 and 8, and the front portion of the plate 49 extends to adjacent the straight groove portions 19, as shown at 51. The rollers 29 will facilitate the flipping over of the flexible portion 26 by the projections rotating therein.

The structure shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, is particularly adapted for flexible display portions 26 of greater width than height or length.

Figures 9 to 11, inclusive, show modifications of the track portions 18 and the rotating members 33-37 for adapting the device to display advertising matter on flexible portions of greater length. This is accomplished by providing continuous track grooves in the opposed faces of substantially elliptical plates 52, each groove comprising an arcuate portion 53 communicating at the opposite ends with vertical portions 54 and 55 connecting the arcuate portion 50 to the lower and upper ends, respectively, of a straight portion 56 extending in the plane of inclination of the sloping edges 15 of the inner leg portions of the members 12 and 13. The plates 52 are supported by the inner leg portions of the members 12 and 13 in the same manner as the track plates 16 of the The rollers 29 are releasably retained in the straight groove portions 56 by the stops 31 with the rollers in the lower ends of said groove portions 56 engaged in the cut-out portions 32 of the stops 31. The rollers 29 engaged in the cutout portions 32 are moved along the vertical portions 54 and arcuate portions 53 by a movable member associated with each plate 52 and comprising arms 57 extending diametrically from a hub 58 secured on an end portion of the shaft 38. A roller engaging member or arm 59 is arranged with a slide. 60 on one face to slidably support said member 59 on each of the arms 57. The outer end of the member 59 is bent over the periphery of each plate 52 and arranged with ears 61 and 62 similar to the ears 35 and 36 and adapted to travel in juxtaposed relation to the groove portions 5356 to engage the outer end por tions of the rollers 29 and move said rollers along the track portions 54 and 53. The sliding mounting of the members 59 will permit the ears 61 and 62 to travel in an elliptical path and to assure the travel of the ears along the elongated sides of the ellipse, each member 59 is arranged with a pin 63 engaging a groove 64 in the outer face of each of the plates 52 spaced from and following the periphery of said plates, as shown in Figures 9 and 11. The shaft 38 is supported in the plates 52 by bearings 65 in the center of said plates. The flexible portions 26 of the display members are flipped over when the rollers 29 travel along the track portions 53, 55 in the same manner as in the structure shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, by an arcuate plate 66 secured at the ends to the plates 52. The plate 66 is similar to the plate 49 except that the front portion is extended parallelly of the track portions 55, as indicated at 67 in Figure 9.

The supporting frame in Figures 9 to 11, inclusive, is the same as shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, and the parts thereof are indicated by the same reference numerals.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a display device, a pair of tracks supported in elevated position and spaced from each other in opposed relation, each track comprising a circular plate arranged with a continuous groove in one face having an arcuate portion and a declining straight portion communicating with the arcuate portion, a plurality of display members, each member comprising a flexible portion containing advertising matter thereon and having a stiff strip at the upper section arranged with projections at the opposite sides for engagement in the track grooves and normally supported in the straight track groove portions with the flexible portions suspended therefrom, and a rotating member associated with each track plate and arranged with diametrically opposed recesses traveling in a circle of the arc of the arcuate track groove portion to successively engage and move the projections in the lower ends of the straight track groove portions from said ends along the arcuate track groove portions and deliver said projections to the upper ends of the straight track groove portions, and the recesses in each rotating member are spaced from each other so that one recess engages the projection in the lower end of the associated straight track groove portion while the other recess is moving the projection of a preceding display member along the arcuate track groove portion.

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each rotating member comprises a flat piece rotatably mounted in juxtaposed relation to the face of the track plate opposite the face arranged with the groove and having the opposite end portions bent over the periphery of the track plate and arranged with the recesses in the extremities of said end portions juxtaposed to the face of the plate arranged with the groove.

3. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each track plate has arcuate end portions and straight side portions and the continuous groove has vertical portions connecting the arcuate and declining portions and extending parallel to the straight side portions of the track plate whereby display members of greater length are supported by the track grooves.

4. A display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each rotating member comprises a rotating hub and a pair of arms slidably supported by diametrically opposite portions of the hub and each arm having the recess in the end thereof.

5. A display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each projection of the display members carries a roller arranged with an enlargement intermediate the ends and the outer end portion of the roller engaged in the track plate grooves, and stops fixedly mounted at the lower ends of the straight track groove portions and arranged with arcuate cut-out portions adapted to engage the inner end portions of the rollers.

6. In a display device as claimed in claim 1, an arcuate plate secured at the ends to the track plates to span the spaced below the arcuate track groove portions and engage the stiif strip of the display member being moved along the arcuate track portions and flip-over the flexible portion of said display member.

7. A display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stiff strip of the display member is curved transversely of its length and the convex portion of the curve is engaged by the arcuate plate.

8. In a display device, a pair of U-shaped members supported in elevated position and spaced in horizontal alignment, a track plate mounted on the inner leg portion of each U-shaped member in spaced relation to said leg portion and connected to each other in spaced and opposed relation, a continuous groove in each of the opposed faces of the plates arranged with an arcuate portion and a straight declining portion, a plurality of dis play members having rollers extending from the sides of the upper portion of the display members to engage the grooves and normally supported in the straight groove portions, and a rotating member associated with each track plate and having a recess at each end to successively engage the rollers in the lower ends of the straight groove portions and move said rollers along the arcuate groove portions and deliver said rollers to the upper ends of the straight groove portions.

9. In a display device as claimed in claim 8, a shaft rotatably supported by the outer leg portion of one of the U-shaped members and the track plates, and the center portions of the rotating members secured to the shaft.

10. In a display device as claimed in claim 8, stops mounted on the inner leg portions of the U-shaped members and having an arcuate cut-out portion extending relative to the lower ends of the straight groove portions to engage the rollers of the lowermost display memher in said straight groove portions and releasably retain the display members in the straight groove portions.

11. In a display device as claimed in claim 8, a cover having end portions releasably secured to the U-shaped members and enclosing the space between the leg portions of said U-shaped members and a connecting portion partially covering the space between the track plates extending from the lower ends of the straight groove portions to the vertical center of the arcuate groove portions and having the lower edge section bent in an outwardly oblique direction.

12. A display devise as claimed in claim 8, wherein the U-shaped members are supported in elevated position by a base, and posts secured at one end to the base and having the opposite ends releasably connected to the connecting portions of the U-shaped members.

13. A display device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer leg portions of the U-shaped members are arranged with eyes for supporting the U-shaped members in elevated position.

14. A display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein each rotating member comprises a flat piece having a center hub secured to the shaft with said fiat piece juxtaposed to the outer face of each track plate and having the opposite end portions bent over the periphery of the track plate with the extremities of said end portions juxtaposed to the face of the plate arranged with the groove and said extremities arranged with the recesses.

15. In a display device as claimed in claim 10, a plate secured at the ends to the inner faces of the track plates below the arcuate groove portions and having one edge portion extending below the connecting cover portion and the opposite edge portion terminating adjacent to the upper ends of the straight groove portions.

16. A display device as claimed in claim 14, wherein each recess in the extremities of the rotating flat pieces is formed by two cars of different lengths, the longer ear being adapted to engage and move the rollers and the shorter ear permitting the delivery of the rollers to the upper ends of the straight groove portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 876,570 Lundgreen Jan. 14, 1908 939,550 Rudolph Nov. 9, 1909 2,135,207 Bramer Nov. 1, 1938 2,168,723 Veitch Aug. 8, 1939 2,188,733 Barta Ian. 30, 1940 2,326,179 Sneed Aug. 10, 1943 2,395,947 Walker Mar. 5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 465,541 Germany Sept. 19, 1938 

